Topeka ? Lawrence High sisters Anna Birt and Yelena Birt and Free State’s Taylor Hawkins and Rachel Walters advanced Friday to the second day of the Class 6A state girls tennis tournament.

The Birts lost to Shawnee Mission West, 7-5, 2-6, then defeated Derby, 9-2, and Washburn Rural, 9-5.

Hawkins and Walters won three of four matches, defeating Garden City, 6-3, 6-1, losing to Blue Valley Northwest, 6-1, 6-1, then defeating Maize, 9-2, and Olathe East, 9-7.

Both teams are guaranteed to play three matches today and will finish between fifth and 12th place.

Free State’s Caitlin Dodd and Ali Dodd went 1-2 and were eliminated. They fell to Shawnee Mission East, 6-1, 6-1, defeated Wichita East, 9-5, and lost to Derby, 9-6.

“I thought we were one of the top 10 doubles teams in the state, and hopefully we can finish there,” LHS coach Chris Marshall said. “We’ve always had the skill set. Our strategy and how-to-play-the-game have improved. We’re playing smarter tennis.

“We had a competitive match against a very, very good doubles team,” Marshall said of the Birts’ loss to SM West.

Play continues at 9 a.m. today.

“Today was a great day for Free State tennis,” FSHS coach Oather Strawderman said. “I am proud of all our girls. The Dodds had a strong showing, coming back from 0-5 down in their last match to have a good showing at state. Hawkins and Walters played amazing scrappy tennis all day, just like they have all year long. They have set themselves up for a high finish tomorrow.”